BOSTON – James L. Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and Coastal America, presented Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes) with the 2001 Coastal America Special Recognition Award for its leadership in establishing the Maine Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (CWRP). Maritimes was the only company to receive the national award this year.

The Maine CWRP is a partnership of businesses and environmental organizations working with government agencies to help restore Maine’s critically important wetlands and other aquatic resources. Maritimes launched the program last year at a kick-off breakfast attended by Maine Gov. Angus S. King, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martha Kirkpatrick and business leaders.

In presenting the award to Maritimes Senior Vice President and General Counsel Patrick J. Hester, Connaughton praised the company for its work in assisting with wetland and aquatic habitat restoration. "You have set an example for our nation by demonstrating how important it is for companies to take a proactive role in protecting and restoring our valuable coastal and aquatic habitats," said Connaughton. "By working with federal and state agencies, you are assisting in the development of a unique public-private initiative to restore wetlands."

"Maritimes is honored to receive this award from Coastal America recognizing the company’s continued commitment to preserving Maine’s environmental resources," Hester said. "We will work closely with Maine businesses to expand this partnership to support additional restoration projects throughout the state."

The Maine CWRP has received pledges of more than $400,000 from Maine companies and, in its first year, awarded over $136,000 in funds and in-kind services to wetlands restoration projects across the state. Contributions from private businesses provide local matches for the projects entitling them to receive additional federal funds. On average, every $1 of corporate contribution will bring to a project up to $3 in federal matching monies.

At the ceremony held earlier this month at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wells, Maine, Coastal America also recognized George A. (Gus) McLachlan, Maritimes environmental engineer, for his contributions to the Maine Coastal Wetland Restoration Partnership Team. As part of the team, McLachlan received Coastal America’s Partnership Award and a letter from President George W. Bush commending his efforts to preserve coastal watersheds.

Coastal America was formed to join the efforts of federal agencies with those of state, local, tribal and private alliances to collaboratively and more effectively address environmental problems along our nation's coasts, waterways and wetlands. Federal agencies involved in Coastal America include the departments of agriculture, Air Force, Army, commerce, defense, energy, housing and urban development, interior, Navy, and transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency; and the executive office of the president.

Maritimes is owned by affiliates of Duke Energy (37.5 percent); Westcoast Energy, Inc. (37.5 percent); ExxonMobil (12.5 percent) and Emera Inc. (12.5 percent). Duke Energy serves as the vice-chair of the national CWRP advisory council. For more information, contact Maritimes on the Internet at http://www.mnp-usa.com/